The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom (1993) (TV)

Director:

Michael Ritchie

Writer (WGA):

Jane Anderson (written by)

Release Date:

10 April 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Thriller

Tagline:

She wanted to give her daughter the best shot at being a cheerleader... The things you do for your kids.

Plot:

Err, the title is almost a summary itself. Based on the true story of a Texas mom who tries to hire...

Plot Keywords:

Texas | Murder | Junior High School | Ruler | Jealousy

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 8 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Holly Hunter	...	Wanda Holloway
Beau Bridges	...	Terry Harper
Swoosie Kurtz	...	Marla Harper
Elizabeth Ruscio	...	Verna Heath
Gregg Henry	...	Tony Harper
Matt Frewer	...	Troy McKinney
Eddie Jones	...	C.D. Holloway
Frankie Ingrassia	...	Shanna Harper
Gary Grubbs	...	Detective Helton
Jack Kehler	...	Sergeant F.E Blackwell
Frederick Koehler	...	Shane Harper
Megan Berwick	...	Amber Heath
Kathleen Marie Archer	...	Mother
Jana Arnold	...	Florine
Nelly Bly	...	Waitress

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Argentina:13 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Channelview, Texas, USA

Company:

Frederick S. Pierce Company

Trivia:

Someone discusses possibility of an exploding baton, an in-joke reference to gag from director Michael Ritchie's 1975 movie Smile (1975).

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Wanda's voice on tape describes Verna's vehicle as a "1995 Grand Marquis." The film takes place in 1991.

Quotes:

Wanda Holloway: But hey, so how're you gonna end this?
Himself - Producer: Uh, I don't know, we haven't finished the script yet.
Wanda Holloway: Huh... well... it's not fair. I hope you know that. I've been shafted before, I can get shafted again, over and over.

Movie Connections:

Features "A Current Affair" (1986)

Soundtrack:

Refinery Blues

A positively excellent movie about a true story.

When the story of Wanda Holloway's arrest for soliciting the murder of her daughter's rival cheerleader and the cheerleader's mother hit the news here in Texas, it was absolutely bizarre on one hand, but sooo Texas on the other. How does something like this happen, I mean, who ARE these people?

Michael Ritchie does an outstanding job of explaining this in his scathingly hilarious movie. These characters are so Texan! (But not representative of us all, mind you!). Holly Hunter, a born Texan, is brilliant as Wanda Hollow. I can't think of anyone else who could have played the character. There are excellent performances from everyone, actually.

Maybe it helps to live in Texas to fully appreciate the movie. But as you watch it, just remember that this is a true story about real people, and their characterizations are probably not overly exaggerated. Y'all enjoy!